Lifestyle FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2015

Luke Bryan, winner of the award for enter- Justin Timberlake, left, and Chris Stapleton perform on stage. Chris Stapleton accepts the award for new tainer of the year, kisses his award. artist of the year. — AP photos Timberlake shines at CMAs, hosts joke about Shelton divorce ustin Timberlake, who grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, tapped into Lambert, who is also at the CMAs, is nominated for entertainer of the year, his country roots with a show-stopping performance at the Country while Shelton will perform later in the show. JMusic Association Awards. Timberlake sang alongside popular song- Duets kicked off the awards show: Eric Church and Hank Williams Jr writer and singer Chris Stapleton at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, performed “Are You Ready for the Country” and John Mellencamp and Tennessee, on Wednesday night. They strummed their guitars while Keith Urban strummed their guitars during “Pink Houses.” Sam Hunt won singing “Tennessee Whiskey,” which Stapleton wrote, and followed that over the audience with his performance of “Take Your Time,” while with Timberlake’s tune, “Drink You Away.” The audience was in awe: Underwood sang “Smoke Break.” Little Big Town, who also earned Timberlake’s wife, actress Jessica Biel, watched excitedly and bopped her applause for their performance of “Girl Crush,” won the first award of the head, while Keith Urban recorded the performance with his phone. live telecast for single of the year for their No. 1 hit. The writers of “Girl Stapleton went on to win new artist and album of the year for Crush” won song of the year. “This is about being brave and being bold,” “Traveller.” “This is unbelievable. I don’t know what to say. I don’t know Karen Fairchild said onstage with her group. “Country radio, thanks for what to think,” said Stapleton who has written for Kenny Chesney, George having the guts for playing it.” Strait and others. “Thank you so much for the love.” Carrie Underwood and The foursome, along with Church, walked into the arena as the most Brad Paisley were also show-stoppers with their opening jokes - including nominated act with five. They lost music video of the year to Maddie & Miranda Lambert accepts the award for about Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert’s divorce. “And of course we Tae’s “Girl in a Country Song” and musical event of the year to Church and female vocalist of the year. can’t ignore the breakup that rocked our world,” Underwood said, as the Urban. The group, which includes Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook camera panned to Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog. and Phillip Sweet, is also nominated for vocal group of the year, which it “On a completely unrelated topic, howdy Blake?” Paisley replied. The has won for the last three years. Little Big Town is not up for the biggest camera panned to Shelton who laughed and clapped his hands, along honor: entertainer of the year. Church, who announced he released a sur- with the audience. “Did you hear that duet that Blake did with Ashley prise album called “Mr. Misunderstood” on Wednesday, is nominated for Madison?” Paisley asked, earning laughs from the audience at the the top prize, pitting him against Garth Brooks, Lambert, Chesney and last Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. “That was with Ashley year’s winner, Luke Bryan. Kacey Musgraves, Jason Aldean, Reba McEntire Monroe,” Underwood replied. Shelton confirmed Wednesday just hours and Dierks Bentley will also perform during the three-hour show, airing before the awards show that he and his fellow “Voice” mentor Gwen live on ABC. — AP Stefani are dating. He and Lambert announced their divorce in July.

Singer/songwriter John Carter Cash accepts Lori McKenna, from left, Liz Rose and Hillary Lindsey accept the award Brian Kelley, left, and Tyler Hubbard, of Florida Georgia Line, winners Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award for song of the year for ‘Girl Crush,’ performed by Little Big Town. of the award for vocal duo of the year. on behalf of his father, Johnny Cash.